Chevalier Jackson

(1865-1958)
JMC Class of 1886

One of the
foremost figures in the field of laryngology, Jackson developed
the method for the removal of foreign bodies from the lungs and
other passages by insertion of tubes through the mouth. For these
purposes he devised first an esophagus scope and later a bronchoscope.
In his Philadelphia bronchoscope clinic he trained numerous students
and physicians in his techniques. Jackson also contributed to the
development of laryngeal surgery.

Born in
1865, Jackson grew up in a family hit hard by poverty. At an early
age, he learned woodworking skills and later the decoration of china
and glassware in order to bring in money. In this way, Jackson earned
the funds necessary to enter Western University of Pennsylvania
(later the University of Pittsburgh) and Jefferson Medical College,
where he graduated in 1886.

"The
Old Shoe," oil and palette knife, 1912. Jackson, Chevalier,
The Life of Chevalier Jackson. The MacMillan Company,
1938.

After graduation,
Jackson began his practice in Pittsburgh and almost immediately
decided to specialize in laryngology. He read extensively and also
attended the clinics presented by Drs. Jacob Solis-Cohen, Charles
E. de M. Sajous, and Louis Jurist. Following a brief attendance
at various European clinics as well as those of the British specialist
Sir Morell McKenzie, Jackson returned to Pittsburgh. Here he developed
an interest in the removal of foreign bodies in the esophagus and
the tracheobronchial tree.

This interest
led to Jackson’s invention of several instruments to aid his removals.
By 1907, Jackson had published his standard work Tracheobronchoscopy,
Esophagoscopy and Gastroscopy. His growing reputation led in 1910 to his election as Professor of Laryngology at
the University of Pittsburgh.

The discovery
in 1911 that Jackson suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis dealt
a blow to his career. Regarded as a disease in its early stage,
he limited his activities, but nevertheless in 1913 he suffered
a pulmonary menorrhage that required complete rest. However, Jackson
used this time to produce another major work, Peroral Endoscopy
and Laryngeal Surgery.

In 1916,
Jefferson Medical College offered Jackson the Professorship of Laryngology
and by 1924, he achieved the position of Professor of Bronchoesophagology
and Department Head. In addition, parallel appointments at the University
of Pennsylvania Graduate School, Temple University, and
the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania provided Jackson with
simultaneous involvement at five medical schools.

During
the 1920s, Jackson also began a crusade to spread knowledge of preventive
measures in order to protect children from inhaling foreign objects. He also
campaigned for the passage of a federal law to control hazardous
substances available to children. This led to the passage of the
Caustic Act of 1927, which required labels on all poisonous substances.

Jackson’s
career at Jefferson ended with his mandatory retirement in 1930
at the age of 65. However, Jackson continued his association with
Temple University and the Women’s College, his involvement with
various medical societies, and his writings.

Jackson died
on 16 August 1958 at the age of 93. His obituary from the American
Medical Association described him as "one of the greatest,
if not the greatest of laryngologists of all time."

Some of Jackson's work has been memorialized in a book, "Swallow: Foreign Bodies, Their Ingestion, Inspiration, and the Curious Doctor Who Extracted Them," by Mary Capello. Jefferson archivist Michael Angelo participated with the author in an interview about Dr. Jackson for the WHYY radio program Radio Times (March 2011). Listen to the interview (mp3).